Gender dimensions in the adoption of climate-smart agriculture technologies in response to climate change extremes in Benin

This study investigated the gender dimensions in the adoption of CSA technologies among smallholder farmers in Benin. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 272 respondents for the study, comprising equal proportions of male- and female-headed households. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and structured interviews were used to obtain responses from interviewees. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and multivariate probit regression model were used in analyzing the data. The results of the study showed that a higher percentage (89.0%) of women sourced information on CSA technologies from their family/peers compared to men (66.2%). Men adopted more CSA technologies than women. Specifically, the CSA technologies adopted by the respondents were crop rotation (92.7% women vs. 86.0% men), animal health services (44.9% women vs. 66.2% men), and organic fertilizer (46.3% women vs. 59.6% men), among others. These climate-smart agricultural technologies were further delineated into three broad packages, namely soil and water conservation practices (SWC), improved livestock management system (ILM), and improved crop production system (ICP). More men than women adopted SWC and ILM. On the other hand, women (94.9%) adopted ICP more than men (87.5%). Gender, age, farm size, land ownership, access to labour, project contact, climate change information, and livestock ownership are significant determinants of the adoption of CSA options among the respondents. The study reinforces the need to consider context-specific local factors and co-design gender-based solutions to extreme climatic threats with the local communities.